Apparatus for accumulating and storing energy.



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YAPPARATUS fph'AcculluLArl'ujs Annsolima ENERGY.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANGEL DE CASTRO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HENRY W.SOHLOMANN, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUSFOR ACCUMULATING AN'D STORING ENERGY.

, SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent No. 674,825, dated May 21,190]...

Application tiled April l0, 1900. Serial No. 12,363. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANGEL DE CASTRO, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Actcumulating and Storing Energy, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to apparatus for accumulating or storing upenergy derived through the relatively-prolongedoperation of acomparatively small motor or source of' ing, applying, and controllingthe stored energy, whereby it may be utilized to the best advantage. i

The accompanying drawings represent apparatus embodying my invention.

Figure l is an elevation, partly in section and' of a diagrammaticcharacter, showingV the apparatus in yits simplest form; Fig. 2, asimilar elevation, but not in section, showing a modified arrangement ofthe apparatus; Fig. 3, a view illustrating the invention'em-` bodied inapparatus adapted to progressively build up the `accumulated power to apoint beyond that practicable with the single ap paratus of Figs. l and2.

It is of course well understood that the energy exerted by a relativelysmall motor operatingfor a comparatively long time may be stored upeither ina heavy ily-wheel or in other ways and recovered or used toimpart motion to other apparatus and that in this way a 'force greaterthan that which the first motor is capable ofexerting at any givenmoment may be obtained rand utilized for a brief period of time.

There are many situations in which it is desirablevto exert forrelativelyshort periods a greatforce, but where it is impracticable forone or another reason to employ and keep inioperation a motor capable ofgiving constantly such relatively great power. It is to meet thisrequirement that the present invention is designed. Instances of thischaracter are presented in the case of vehicles, which at startingrequire the application of relatively great power but which once underway may be kept in motion and at proper speed by the expenditure ofrelatively little power. Other fields in which this requirement ispresented are oered in self-propelling torpedoes, rolling machinery, andthe like.

Briefly stated, my invention consists, essentially, in converting theelectric energy of any convenient source of electricity into kineticenergy by delivering it into a motor, which, being at the time Withoutload, gradually increases its speed until the maximum lattainable with agiven electric energy or until a predetermined speed is reached.

'When such kinetic energy is attained, the

motor is electrically disconnected from its source of supply and anotherelectric circuit Vis established, in which is included a dynamo-velectric generator impelled by the energy stored up through the actionof the first motor and which dynamo transforms the stored energy intoelectric energy and delivers the same to the translating devicerequiring for a brief period the relatively high power or energy. Thistranslating device may be another motor, a heating-coil, a sparkingdevice, or other.

By properly proportioning the parts or adjusting their ratios the periodof accumulation may be made .asV long and the period of discharge orreconversion as short as desired for any given application.

Referring first to Fig. l, A indicates'a source of electrical energy,which is hereconventionally represented as a'pri mary battery, but whichmay equally well be a storage battery, a dynamoselectric generatordriven by any ysuitable prime motor, or other source of electric supply.The terminals ofV the source A are connected by conductors ct b with`the brushes c d of an electric motor B of any suitable type.;

C indicates what for -convenience I designate an electromechanicalaccumulator, comprising a heavy fly-wheel c, rotating within the coilslo of a fixed encircling armature ICQ and Wound in any well-known waywith poleproducing coils, asf, which are supplied at proper times withan electrical current through conductors g h and brushes 91j, the latterVbearing upon a commutator-cylinder carried by the shaft of theelectromechanical accumulator C, the conductors gand h being in turnconnected with the brushes c and d of the motor B, as shown. It will bereadily understood that if the coils k be properly closed and thewinding fA be electrically excited the apparatus C will, when the wheele is rapidly rotated, become an alternatingcurrent generator. So long,however, as the coils k are openthat is to'say, so long as there is nocomplete circuit through them and back-the wheel e will rotate withoutretardation by the armature and without generating any current in saidcoils. Connection is made between the wheel e and the shaft of the motorB by gears Z m, the larger of which is secured uponthe shaft of themotor B, as indicated. As a consequence of this arrangement the shaft nof the fly-wheel e will make more turns than will the shaft of the motorB, and the wheel e will conse- `quently be driven vat relatively highspeed, the peripheral speed being enhanced by reason of the relativelylarge diameter of said wheel. 4 l

D indicates a switch or circuit-closer designed to open Vor break the-circuit comprising the lsource A, conductors a b, and 'motor B, and tosimultaneously close a second circuit comprising or including conductorso 1o, armature-coils of the electromechanical accumulator C, and avmotor or other translating device G. This switch is represented as asimple lever piv'otcd at a point between its ends and carrying at oneend a conducting plate or bar q to bridge two separated contacts and atthe opposite end an armature r, of soft'iron, adapted to he attracted byan electromagnet E when the latter is energized.

A small spring s serves to hold the armature away from the pole of themagnet when the latter is dene'rg'ized and to maintain the -switch orcircuit-closer in the position shown in Fig. 1, where it is representedas closing or completing the supply-circuit of the motor B.

F indicates ar small dynamo-electric gener-y ator, the armature of whichis 'carried by the shaft n of the electromechanical ac'cum u'lator C andthe current supplied by which is de- ]livered to a circuit formed bytheconductors l turand the winding of theelectromagnet E.

The purposeof thegenerator F is to energize the magnet Egvbutmas fit isnot desirable to bring said magnet int'oactionor to cause 'fit tobreak"the'supply-circliit of the motor B luntil the l{1y-'Wheel eattains a predetermined y and very high` speed a resistance c isintroduced into the conductor vSaid resistance is in the form of a coilVwoundjabout a softiron rod or bar having ay free pole, which upon thepassage of a predetermined current serves to attract ra short-circuitingarmature w, which bridges two contacts of the resistance andshort-circuits a section thereof. The armature having, however, beenbrought by the full strength of the magnet close to the magnet-pole andbeing within the strong field of attraction thereof will be held by themagnet after such short-circuiting until the energizing-cu rrent itselfis appreciably weakened.

The armaturewis normally held away from the magnet-pole by a lightspring mor in any other convenient way.

Theapparatus being constructed as.above described and the parts beingadjusted to the position shown in Fig. 1, the operationA will be asfollows: Current being supplied to the motorB from the source A will putsaid motor in motion, and it, acting through the gearing lm, willimpartl'rnotion to the fly-Wheel e.

This wheel being free -to turn Without other resistance than that offriction will after a time acquire a high velocity. During this speedingof the Wheel e the coilsk of the fixed encircling armature are open byreason of the switch D being moved away from the contact of theconductorsop and to position to bridge those of the conductors a b. Asthe wheel e attains a predetermined or maximum speed the armature of thegenerator F likewise at- -in which are included vthe armature-coils ofthe electromechanicalaccumulator. The mo` tor B being now without anoperating 'or propelling current, but being driven by reason of its gearconnection with thefrapidly-rotating fly-wheel e,'becomes an `electricgenerator, the current from which vis led byA the brushes c d,conductors Ag h, aud brushes j to and through` the coils j of thefly-wheel e. The rotation of thiswheel with. its coils f, energized bythe current of the motor B, ,Y

now running as a generator, said 'coils travcling within rthe coils orwindings lo of the fixed armature, the apparatus becomes as a whole agenerator of'electric current, which is delivered through theconductors` op ltothe motor or other translating device G in whole oi'in part. with the parts constructed and arranged as described enables itto afford for a brief pe The rapid rotation of thewheel e riod a largeoutput ofl elf-S'ctricalr energy, the y Winding, of course, determiningthe electro-` .'motive force, volume, dac. lf the' purpose be to producekgrez-,ttheating capacity, then the Winding will be, according towell-known formula,` for great volume and relatively low electromoti'veforce gvbut'by proper and welli understood construction-of thear`1atnre,tlie

windings, 85e., high electromotive force and small volume may besecured. It is of course well understood that if the full current beinstantaneously thrown into a translating device, or at least into someforms of translating device, a burning out of the latter is likely toresult. To guard against such contingency, I may introduce into thecircuit op a rheostat or variable-resistance device H of any suitableform, adapted to be gradually withdrawn from the circuit, andconsequently to permit the full current to be applied only progressivelyor gradually. In the drawings this resistance device is represented ascomprising a series of resistance-coils with separate contact-s atdifferent points in the series and a short-circuiting plate or bridgecarried by the movable core y of the electromagnet and adapted to bridgethe space between any of said contacts and the winding ofthe magnet, aterminal of such winding being left exposed or bare forthe purpose. Anysuitable form of variable resistance may, however, be employed. Themovement of the core of the magnet is naturally somewhat gradual and maybe retarded as required by any of the usual appliances to that end, suchas dashpots, governors, and the like. Where the current supplied by theaccumulator acting as a generator is in excess of that required for theparticular translating device, the surplus may be utilized for otherpurposes-for instance, to aid in maintaining for a longer time the speedof the wheel e.

It will be understood, of course, that the action o f the accumulator Cas a generator will necessarily be for a comparatively short period andthat as the speedof the iiy-wheel decreases the output of generator Fwill correspondingly decrease until a point is reached where thebridging-armature w will no longer beheld by its attracting-pole andwill move away from the short-circuiting contacts of the resistance fr.This will so far reduce the current delivered to electromagnet E as torender the latter incapable of-longer holding the switch D in positionto close the circuit o p, said switch thereupon opening said circuit andclosing the supply-circuit ofthe motor B, which through the change ot'connections immediately becomes again a motor. All the parts in turnresume their normal positions, or those indicated in Fig. 1, and vthewhole series or cycle of operations is repeated. In this mannenI amenabled, with a comparatively sinall motorand relatively feeble sourceof supply, to build up and Vapply for a brief period a relatively great`renergy, capable of performing for an instant or for a short period oftime work rwhich the motor or the original supply of electric energywould be incapable of performing.

In Fig. 2 l have represented a different embodiment of ythe sainegeneral plan. In this the motor B is employed both to impart thenecessary speed to the {1y-wheel in the first instance and to propel orgive motion to the device requiring to have imparted to it for a briefperiod higher speed than could be given it by the motor when suppliedfrom the primary source direct. In this construction B represents themotor, as before, the shaft of whichis provided with two electromagneticcouplings 1 and 2, by which the shaft may be coupled or connected-eitherwith the gearing l m, through which motion is imparted to the shaft 'nof fly-wheel e, and consequently to said Wheel, or to a shaft 3 of atranslating device I. A indicates the battery or other primary source ofelectric energy, and 4 and 5 conductors leading from one pole of thebattery or source A to and from the electromagnetic clutch 1 and thenceto a contact-stud 6. The other pole of the battery or source isconnected by a conductor `'7 with a terminal 8. Alternating-in locationor arrangement with the contacts 6 and 8 are other contacts 9 and 10. 11and 12 are conductors leading to thel Vrespective brushes 13 and 14 ofthe motor'B and having attached to their other ends movable contactmembers 15 and 1'6, which are connected to mo ve in unison and aredesign ed to connect the brushes 13 and 14 of the motor with thecontacts 6 and 8 or the contacts 9 and 10, the former when it is desiredto supply the motor with current from the primary source A and thelatter when it is desired to supply it with current from theelectromechanical accu m ulato r C. The connected contact members 15 and16 are moved in one direction by an armature 17, subject to theiniiuence of an electromagnet 18, and in the opposite direction by aspring 19, the electromagnet being in a circuit derived from the outercircuit 20 21 of the electromechanical accumulator C when the latter isacting as a generator.

The drawing Fig. 2 shows the contacts 9 and 10 connected with thebrushes of the motor, this being the connection established when theprimary supply A is cut ed and theV motor is to be run by theelectromechanical accumulator. At this time the circuit will be from theupper brush of the accumulator C, by conductor 20, through theelectromagnetic clutch 2, thence to contact 10, bymovablemember 16 andconductory 12' to brush 14:, into the motor, and from the motor, bybrush 13, conductor 11, movable member 15, contact 9, and conductor 21,to the lower brush of the accumulator-generator. In this Way the currentfurnished, by the electromechanical accumulator is delivered to theclutch 2, thereby causing the same to couple the shaft 3 of thetranslating device I to the motor-shaft, and it is also delivered to themotor to cause the act-nation of the latter.

So long as the current delivered by the accumulator acting as agenerator is sufficient to energize the magnet 18 adequately to hold themovable members 15 and 16 upon the con? tacts 9 and 10 the operationwill continue as described and the translating device will be put inmotion. When, however, as will hap IIO IZO

pen in a short time, the speed of the fly-wheel e is so far reduced andthe current output of the electromechanical accumulator falls solow'that the magnet 18 can no longer hold the members 15 and 16 incontact with the studs 9 and 10, the spring 19 will move said members tothe contacts 6 and 8. When this new circuit is established and thecircuit 20 2l is broken, the Wheel e will rotate without load andwithout resistance other than that of friction, but the clutch 2, beingdenergized, will disconnect the motor from the translating device I. Thenew connection formed will establish a circuit from the battery orprimary source A by conductor 4 through clutch 1, conductor 5, contact6, movable member 15, conductor 11, and brush 13 to the motor and thenceby brush 14, conductor 12, movable contact 16, contact 8, and conductor7 back to the source A. This circuit, including the ing-motor B', theparts and the circuits being so arranged that when the {1y-wheel of thefirst electromechanical accumulator C attains its predetermined velocityand the circuits are so changed as to convert it into a generator itsoutput of current is delivered 'n to the motor B', which speeds theily-wheel of current to the translating device.

arrangement the rst motor, which possesses the second electromechanicalaccumulator C', which wheel runs free until its given speed is attained,whereupon the current is switched from the second motor B', and theaccumu-r lator C', operating asa generator, delivers By this relativelylittle power, stores up through pro- I'longed use a comparativelygreater power lin the irst electromechanical accumulator,

which, converting this stored power during a short period intoelectrical energ supplies and gives motion to the second Amotor B',which, operating for a givenv period of time, stores up in the fly-wheelof the second accumulator a still higher degree o f power than wasstoredin the irstand subsequently converts thisfor a brief periodl intoelectric en-v ergy greater than could bc produced directly t, by the`first or the second motor acting for a 1 like period of time.

Ther circuits, switches, contacts, and the like, which in Fig. 3 are thesame asin Fig.

l1, are lettered the same for convenience, the

same parts inthe second section of Fig. 3 be-l ing marked with anexponent to prevent conform which seems most convenient for readyexplanation and in a form which rI deem well adapted to the purpose, itis to be understood that I do not restrict myself to such embodiment,nor is it essential uthat the ily-wheel e be provided with coils orwindings f, since I may make the same a permanent magnet.

As before stated, the character of the translating device is immaterial,and the motor G and apparatus I of Figs. l and 2 are merely illustrativeor indicative rof translating devices in general. It is to be understoodthat the current is to be employed for any purpose for which it may befound suitable, It is further to be understood that the employment of anelectric motor for speeding the electromechanical accumulator, thoughadvantageous, is not essential and that motion may be imparted to saidwheel by any suitable means, manually or otherwise. The constructionshown and described, however, is thoroughly automatic in its action andis deemed in every way preferable to such man` ually-operated or to amanually-controlled system, and is hence'morej than the mere equivalentthereof.

The fly-wheel of the electromechanical ac-y cumulatorr C' is heavierthanr that of the accumulator C, and the motor B' is larger or morepowerful than the motor B.

It is of course to be understood that the windingf, represented in thedrawings for producing poles in thewheel e,fis merely Aindicative of anysuitable winding and may be varied at will. i 1

The term fly-wheel is used in a broad or general sense to indicateand toinclude any..y

form of rotating body having a reasonable mass or weightand adapted tomaintain for. a considerable time motion imparted to it.

The forni may be that of a wheel, disk, cyl-'v fIoo IIO

known or commonmeans" of connection or l transmission--such asfriction-gear, belting,

sprocketr wheels and chain, orthe like-may be employed.

Having thus described my invention, 'I-

claimlf v v 1. In an apparatusfor storing up andl applying energy, thecombination of arly-wheel provided with polarizing-coils; ra sourcek ofVelectricity for ,exciting the `ily-wheel; means ,v for imparting rotarymovementto said wh'ee1;"

an armature encircling said'wheel ;v and means for opening and closingthe armature-circuit,

' whereby the wheel is enabled to run free'vvithin the armature andwithout load during the f` w l, operation of speedingv it' toA apredeterminedvelocity,'and is thereafter'caused. to coper- 'atewith thearmature inthe generation of an, y

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electric current'.

f 2. 'In an apparatus for storing andaccumulating energy, thecombination of ally-wheel adapted to form one member of anfelectric ygenerator; an a'rma'tture'y provided with coilsk izo or windings andencircling said wheel; conductors connected with the terminals of thearmature-winding; a translating device connected with said conductors;an electric motor connected with and serving to rotate said wheel; asmall electric generator rotatable with said wheel; a lsource ofelectric energy serving to supply the motor; a switch adapted to closethe supply-circuit of said motor and to open the circuit in which areincluded the xed armature coils or windings or to close the latter andopen the former; and an electromagnet included in the outer circuit ofthe small electric generator and serving to actuate said switch.

3. In an apparatus for storing and accumulating energy, the combinationof a source of electric energy; a motor in circuit with said source; a[1y-wheel geared to said motor and adapted to be speeded thereby; coilsor windings carried by said fly-wheel and having their terminalsconnected with collecting rings; brushes bearingu pon Said rings andelectric- 'ally connected with the motor-brushes; a

fixed armature encircling the fiy-wheel; a smallgenerator having itsarmature carried by the shaft of said fiy-wheel; a switch orcircuit-closer adapted to complete the supplycircuit of the motor and tointerrupt the circuit including the coils of the fixed armature, or toclose the latter circuit and open the motor-supply circuit; anelectromagnet for actuating said switch or circuit-closer, saidelectromagnet included in the circuit of said small generator; aresistance and electromagnet likewise included in said generatorcircuit;a short-circuiting bar or member located within the field of saidelectromagnet and serving when attracted to short-circuit a portion ofsaid resistance; and a translating device in circuit withy thefixed-armature coils.

4. In combination with au electric motor adapted to operate alternatelyas a motor and a generator, a iiy-wheel connected with said motor andadapted alternately to be driven by and to drive the same; windingscarried by said ily-wheel; an armature encircling said wheel and servingwhen its windings are in closed circuit to coact with said wheel toproduce an electric generator; and means for alternately closing themotor-supply circuit and opening the armature-coil circuit and forclosing the armature-coil circuit and opening the motor-supply circuit.

5. In an apparatus for storing and applying energy the combination of anelectric motor actuated by a relatively weak current, an electricgenerator driven thereby, a fly-wheel associated and revolving with therotating` shaft of the generator and in which is stored energy from saidmotor, the work-circuit of the generator, an exciting-circuit from themotor -to the field of the generator, and means for disconnecting themotor from its source of energy (the motor being then as a generatordriven by the fly-wheel) and for closing said work-circuit when the{iv-wheel has reached the desired velocity, for the purpose set forth.

6. In an apparatus for storing and applying energy the combination of anelectric motor actuated by a relatively weak current, an electricgenerator driven thereby, a iiy-wheel associated and revolving with therotating shaft of the generator and in which is stored energy from saidmotor, the work-circuit of the generator, an exciting-circuit for thegenerator that may receive current from a suitable source, and means forclosing said workcircuit for the purpose set forth when the iiywheel hasreached the desired velocity.

7. An apparatus for storing and applying electric energy, comprising anelectric motoractuated by a relatively weak current, a generator andassociated fly-wheel driven thereby during a relatively long period, andthe work-circuit, combined with means for closing the Work-circuit whenthe fly-wheel has reached the desired velocity and means whereby thegenerator is caused to supply the workcircuit when the latter is closedwhereby the energy from the fly-wheel is delivered as electrical energyin the work-circuit of the generator during a relatively short period.

8. The combination of an electric motor adapted to run at times as agenerator, asource of electricity for energizing the motor, a ilywheelassociated with the motor and driven up to a predetermined speedthereby, means for disconnecting the motor from its energizing-circuitand causing it to be rotated for a time by the iy-wheel and for againconnecting the motor with its energizing-circuit when the speed of thefly-wheel has diminished, and a circuit-receiving current when the motoris run as a generator. y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ANGEL DE CASTRO.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM W. DODGE, W. CLARENCE DUvALL.

IOO

